south: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
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Quick answer
What does “south” mean?
one of the four cardinal directions.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
one of the four cardinal directions; the direction that is down on a standard map, opposite north.
Often refers to the warmer, more southerly regions of a country or continent; can imply a point of origin or destination; used in cultural/political contexts to denote specific areas (e.g., the American South).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
As a proper noun, 'the South' in the UK often refers to the more affluent, densely populated areas of England (e.g., South East). In the US, 'the South' refers specifically to the former Confederate states, with strong cultural and historical connotations.
Connotations
UK: Can imply London-centric, prosperous. US: Historically complex, associated with hospitality, heat, humidity, and a distinct accent.
Frequency
Equally frequent in both dialects for directional use. Capitalized 'South' as a region is more frequent in US media and discourse.
Grammar
How to Use “south” in a Sentence
to the south of [PLACE][PLACE] lies south of [OTHER PLACE]facing southsouth towards [PLACE]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “south” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The birds will south for the winter.
American English
- The birds will south for the winter.
adverb
British English
- After Oxford, we continued driving south.
American English
- The storm is moving south along the coast.
adjective
British English
- We approached the south gate of the estate.
American English
- Take the south exit off the highway.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
"We're expanding our operations into the south of the country."
Academic
"The migration patterns show a consistent movement towards the south during this period."
Everyday
"The sunroom is on the south side of the house."
Technical
"Set the compass bearing to 180 degrees, which is true south."
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “south”
- Using 'south' as a verb incorrectly (e.g., 'We will south tomorrow'). Correct: 'We will go/travel/head south tomorrow.'
- Confusing 'south' (direction) with 'southern' (adjective for region).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, but rarely and poetically, meaning 'to move toward the south,' primarily used for celestial bodies or birds. In everyday speech, 'go south,' 'head south,' etc., are used instead.
'South' is primarily a noun (the direction) or an adjective for a specific point/part (south door). 'Southern' is an adjective describing something as coming from or characteristic of the south (southern accent, southern cuisine).
It is capitalized when it refers to a specific, recognized region (e.g., the Southern United States, the South of France), functioning as a proper noun.
It is an informal expression meaning to worsen, fail, or decline (e.g., 'The negotiations went south after the scandal broke').
one of the four cardinal directions.
South is usually neutral in register.
South: in British English it is pronounced /saʊθ/, and in American English it is pronounced /saʊθ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “south of the border”
- “go south”
- “up south (UK, ironic)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine the sun at its highest point (noon) is in the south (in the Northern Hemisphere). 'Sun' and 'South' both start with 'S'.
Conceptual Metaphor
SOUTH IS DOWN (on a map). SOUTH IS WARMER. SOUTH IS THE DESTINATION (e.g., for migration).
Practice
Quiz
Which phrase is often used to mean 'to deteriorate or fail'?